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A road closure for utilities repairs in Ottershaw has caused traffic chaos at a hospital and angered neighbours.

Affinity Water began three weeks of repairs in Chobham Road and Foxhills Road, near the Otter Roundabout, on October 18. The road is used by hundreds of commuters daily to reach Chertsey and the M25.

But already neighbouring roads are feeling the strain of the diverted traffic, with St Peter's Hospital in particular bearing the brunt, as cars cutting through the hospital grounds have clogged the exit and caused up to 40 minute waits.

One Ottershaw resident, who did not want to be named, said residents had no information who was undertaking the work as it was absent from signs. He said he was angry the work had begun on a Saturday, when no one was in to answer any calls and queries from concerned neighbours.

"There is no access for emergency vehicles to the affected roads as the works team have managed to ensure this by placement of their rest-room facilities and the spoil from the holes they have dug," he added. "I know of several people who have the potential to require medical assistance in the locate vicinity."

A diversion route has been put in place for motorists and residents heading to Chertsey and vice versa, however the resident feels this is excessively long, taking motorists into Chobham, past Chobham Common and back via Longcross Road.

The road closures have caused traffic congestion and delays locally as people try their own diversions

For those living near the roundabout this amounts to approximately a 12-mile trip, to cover a distance of less than 0.1 mile.

The resident was also concerned about the route suggested, feeling it was inappropriate for the level of traffic and also suggested possible issues around how long ambulances will take to reach destinations using this route.

He said: "The ambulance station is one or two hundred yards from the Otter roundabout, but they cannot access the junction.

"All we want now is an accident on the M3 either way between J2 and J3 and chaos will ensue.

"I do appreciate that there are other ways locals can get about but those roads are probably not designed for that level of traffic.

"I get the impression that the left and right hands are not communicating across the board."

Diverted traffic has caused problems at St Peter's Hospital where many cars have used Stonehill Road and Holloway Hill as a shortcut - roughly a six-mile shorter route - rather than following the official diversion.

On Wednesday evening (October 22) hospital staff were having to wait 40 minutes to leave the car park, such was the glut of traffic.

Some staff members also raised concerns the traffic could hamper ambulances trying to return to the A&E department.